Main-tapping machine



' (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet; 1.

M. O. WALKER. MAIN TAPPING MACHINE.

No. 549,619. Patented Nov. 12,1895.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MATTHEW O. WALKER, OF DES MOINES, IOWVA.

MAIN -TAPPING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 549,619, dated November12, 1895.

Application filed. April 13, 1895. Serial No. 545,642. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MATTHEW O. WALKER, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Des Moines, in the county of Polk and State ofIowa, have invented an Improved Main-Tapping Machine, of which thefollowing is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide a rotatable cap formain-tapping machines which is simple in construction, so arranged thata water or gas tight joint may be easily made and maintained between thecap and the body of the machine, and, further, to provide a cap that maybe easily rotated to bring the various tools held therein into position.

My invention consists in certain details in the construction,arrangement, and combination of the various parts of the device, ashereinafter set forth,pointed out in my claim, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which V Figure 1 is avertical sectional viewthrough the dotted line 1 1 of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectionalview through the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail viewshowing a screw-threaded plug. Fig. 4 is a like View of a faucetdetachably connected with one of the tool-shafts. Fig. 5 shows thecomplete device applied to a main. Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional viewthrough the line 6 6 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a like view through the line 77. Figs. 8, 9, and 10 show the rotatable cap and collar for supportingthe same in vertical section and detached.

. Referring to the accompanying drawings, the reference-letter A is usedto indicate the main frame, approximately cylindrical in shape, with acircular opening A in its top internally screw-threaded and a horizontalinwardly-proj ecting flange A This flange has an annular recess A in itstop surface to admit a washer A The bottom of the cylinder A has acircular opening A eccentrically arranged therein and adownwardly-projecting flange A around the opening.

A indicate bifurcated lugs formed integral with and projectinghorizontally outward from the sides of the frame A.

To connect the frame with a main, I have provided a saddle B in the formof a circular rim, designed to enter the flange A and having a concavedlower surface shaped to conform to the main. Washers B are placedbetween the top of the saddle B and the bottom of the frame and betweenthe saddle and main to produce tight joints when forced together.

B indicates a screw-threaded bolt placed in one of the bifurcated lugs Aand having a nut B on top of the lug and a hook B on its lower end.

B indicates a chain detachably connected with the said hook and adaptedto be passed around the main. A like bolt is connected with the oppositelug.

It is obvious that by screwing down the nuts 13 the frame will be firmlyheld to the main and a tight joint be provided between the main and theinterior of the frame A.

0 indicates a collar to be screwed into the top of the frame A toprovide a bearing for a rotatable cap, hereinafter described. Thiscollar has on its inner face an annular recess 0 at its bottom and asmaller recess 0 at its top, and on its top surface are formed a numberof projections 0 which are of service when turning the collar to screwit in or out of the frame A.

The various tools used in tapping a main are supported in a rotatablecap in the top of the frame, composed of a part D with its base fittedin the collar and an annular shoulder D in its top to enter the recess Cthus limiting the downward movement of the cap. On the central portionof the top is formed a trefoil-shaped extension. In the center of eachWing of the extension is a vertical bore D enlarged at its upper end toadmit the packing D and screw-threaded at its upper end to admit thebushing D which also serves to adjust the packing. In the bottom of thispart D is an annular groove, in which is placed a packing-ring D.

F indicates the under part of the cap, comprising a flat-topped disk ofa size to fit in the annular recess 0 This part is detachably connectedwith the upper part by means of a central bolt F and a screw F The toolscomprise a combined drill and threader H, a screw-threaded plug H andadevice H for holding a faucet 1-1 This latter is screw threaded at itslower end to engage the top of the faucet, and when turned in a reversedirection will disengage from the faucet. Each of these tools has astraight shank H of a size adapted to be passed through the openings inthe cap and is provided with an angular formation H at its top. Thethree tools are placed in position, and on starting a hole the drill isfirst turned until it reaches the center of the opening in the bottom ofthe frame. this position, a gravity-pawl J is pivoted to the top of theframe A to enter the notches between the enlargements 011 the top. \Vhenthe hole has been drilled, the pawl is elevated and the cap rotateduntil the pawl can drop into the next notch, in which position the nexttool will be directly over the hole thus bored.

To provide means for applying a pressure to the tools as they are beingrotated, I have arranged an arched frame K, secured to the top of theframe by bolts K in such a position that its center will be directlyover the center of the opening in the bottom of the frame. K indicates ascrew-threaded shaft extending vertically through said frame with ahand-wheel K fixed to its top. A move ment of the hand-wheel will forcethe shaft downwardly, and the shaft in turn will feed the drill into themain as the drill is turned by the ratchet-lever Y or an y suitablemeans. It is obvious that this feed device maybe ap- To secure the drillin plied in succession to each tool as it is brought under the arch byturning the cap.

\Vith the construction of cap shown and described it is obvious thatready access may be had to the interior of the machine withoutdisturbing the gas-tight joint in, the retatable cap by unscrewing thepart C. It is obvious that wear upon the surfaces subjected tofrictional engagement when the cap is turned may be compensated for byan ad justment of the screw F and also that ground surfaces may beeasily and conveniently formed where it is necessary to make tightjoints.

I claim as my invention The combination in a main. tapping machine of anannular collar screw-tln-eaded on its exterior designed to be screwedinto the top of the machine body and having an annular recess at itsinner lower surface and another at its inner top surface, a rotatablecap designed to enter said collar and having an annular flange on itsouter surface to enter said upper recess, and a disk designed to entersaid lower recess and screws for holding said cap and disk together,substantially as and for the purposes stated.

MATTIIEVV (R \VALKER.

\Vitnesses J. RALPH ORWIG, THOMAS G. ORVVIG.

